American officials are expressing skepticism that a last-minute diplomatic effort in the Middle East will lead to a ceasefire before the upcoming Tuesday election. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly biding his time to see the outcome of the US presidential election before committing to any significant actions.
The belief that Netanyahu is strategically waiting out the US election season has been a prevailing sentiment within the Biden administration. This sentiment is reinforced as key diplomats engage in discussions in the region to explore possibilities of ending the ongoing violence.
CIA Director Bill Burns recently held talks in Cairo, focusing on the situations in Gaza and Lebanon. His discussions included a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Meanwhile, US envoy Amos Hochstein and White House Middle East Coordinator Brett McGurk are currently in Israel for discussions on hostage situations, ceasefire negotiations, and Iran-related matters. The overarching theme of these talks is the US policy of 'de-escalation backed by deterrence'.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the prevailing sentiment is that the imminent conclusion of the closely contested US election is likely to overshadow any immediate breakthrough in resolving the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The uncertainty surrounding the election outcome adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing diplomatic engagements in the region.
